The gap between energy needs and supply is still found. Take the electricity in Java and outside Java for example. Data from Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources say that electrification ratio of electrical energy use in Indonesia reached 67%. This means that 33% of households in Indonesia do not have any electricity.
"It could be said that about 80-90% electricity powered areas are located in Java, while outside Java it’s only 50% in average, some are even less, such as in NTT, Papua, Maluku and Sulawesi, only 30% have electricity," said Head of Training Center for Electricity, New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ir. Munir Ahmad in the Training of Trainers, Biogas Dissemination and Facilitation Socialization of Investment Development in Underdeveloped Areas. The event was held at UC UGM, Friday (13 / 5).
Munir added that the imbalance is caused, among others, by the difference between the growth of electricity consumption and electric development. While the national electrical energy consumption growth is around 7%, Indonesian electricity development, including its infrastructure, only reached 2-3% every year. "Most are still using fossil energy, therefore in the future we will continue to reduce its usage," he said.
Munir presented that with the reduction of fossil energy utilization, new and renewable energy have to be developed. Indonesia is rich in such energy, like wind, hydro, solar and biogas energy. In addition, the paradigm of new and renewable energy as alternative energy should be adjusted as clean energy. "If it’s still labeled as alternative energy, it will continue to be an alternative and not a primary energy, hence we change the label into clean energy," said Munir.
On that occasion, Munir pointed out some programs that have been conducted related to the use of new and renewable energy, among others, rural electrification program, interconnection of renewable energy generation, biogas development program, and independent village program.
Related to the utilization and development of clean energy, signing of an MoU on Clean Energy Training is also conducted between the UGM’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Rural Development. LPPM was represented by Prof. Dr. Techn. Ir. Danang Parikesit, M.Sc. while Deputy Economics Business, Ir. Rahmat Tatang and Ir. Munir Ahmad represent the Ministries respectively. The training involving 41 participants from across Indonesia was held from May 13-15, 2011. In his speech, Ir. Rahmat Tatang supports the synergy so that it can be useful for the extension of clean energy in remote areas, which are still about thirty two thousand villages in total.
Rahmat Tatang said that the division of villages in Indonesia was quite rapid. In East Java, for example, there are 800-1000 split villages. Meanwhile, outside Java it can be more of them, for example in Papua, one area can be divided into 50 districts. While the result of the division has not been registered at the Ministry of Home Affairs, most villages have not get the aid for empowerment program yet. "Empowerment related to food and energy is important. Unfortunately, although the division is legitimate, many of them have not received aid for empowerment program because the data have not been registered at the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Rahmat.
Prof. Dr. Techn. Ir. Danang Parikesit, M.Sc., said UGM was ready to support the agreed program. In addition to government and industry, UGM is also inviting investors and developers in the program. Danang hopes that the development of abundant natural resources does not stop on investment issues, but continued with the development of innovation. "UGM has developed a variety of innovations, such as various forms and functions of biodigester, solar dryer, sugar from coconut palm sap, etc. Principally, UGM is ready to assist through its lecturers and researchers," said Danang.